Court upholds Florida law banning doctors from asking about guns

A federal appeals court has upheld Florida's controversial "Docs vs. Glocks" law, overturning an earlier court ruling that had blocked part of the law from being enforced. In a 2-1 ruling, a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the state Legislature had the right to pass the law, which restricts doctors and other medical providers from asking questions about gun ownership during medical visits. Judge Gerald Tjoflat wrote the law "simply acknowledges that the practice of good medicine does not require interrogation about irrelevant, private matters." In dissent, Judge Charles Wilson said the law was an unconstitutional "gag order" that infringes on doctors' rights. The doctors seeking to overturn the law could seek a full appellate court review or appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.